Agenda item

Patricia Davies (Accountable Officer, NHS Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley CCG and NHS Swale CCG), Julie Hunt (Director of Performance Delivery and Programme Director for Adult Community Services, NHS Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley CCG and NHS Swale CCG) and Michael Ridgwell (Programme Lead, Swale Blue Light Transfer, NHS Swale CCG) were in attendance for this item.

(1)       The Chairman welcomed the guests to the Committee. Ms Davies began by outlining the background to the review of emergency ambulance conveyances for the NHS Swale CCG population. She explained in October 2014 NHS Swale CCG explored options of moving some elective services for Swale residents from Medway Hospital to Maidstone Hospital to reduce pressure on Medway NHS Foundation Trust. She reported the CCG had committed to a review, following concerns raised by the Care Quality Commission, local GPs and the public, into a potential change for some blue light conveyances to Maidstone Hospital. There would be a number of exclusions to transfers, if the changes were made, as Maidstone Hospital did not offer all of the same services as Medway Hospital. She stressed that it was a feasibility study to explore bed capacity at Maidstone Hospital; the types of patients who could be transferred; and the impact on patients and the wider community.

(2)       Members enquired about repatriation of patients and bed capacity. She stated that it could be difficult to repatriate Swale residents discharged from Medway Hospital, who required social care services, as the hospital was located in a different local authority’s area from where they lived. If Swale patients were in the care of a Kent acute provider it would enable a smoother transition from health to social care services. Mr Ridgwell explained that the feasibility study was being carried out to assess all possible impacts including bed capacity; services which were not available at Maidstone Hospital such as emergency surgery; and services which were well regarded at Medway Hospital such as obstetrics and gynaecology. He noted that NHS Swale CCG was working will all relevant partners to assess the practicality of the proposal.  He stated that the CCG was not looking to increase risk at other Trusts; the CCG’s priority was to support Medway NHS Foundation Trust in being a viable high quality organisation.

(3)       In response to specific questions about timelines and the closure of the A249, Mr Ridgwell explained that the CCG wanted to understand activity flow and test provider demand, before going out to public consultation, if the proposals to change conveyances were deemed feasible. He stated that the review would need to be part of a long term strategy which would take place over a longer timescale. Ms Davies reported that she had not been made aware of any adverse impact on SECAmb with the closure of the A249; she stated that she would check with Geraint Davies and provide this information to the Committee.

(4)       RESOLVED that the report be noted and NHS Swale CCG be requested to keep the Committee updated as a long term proposal for emergency ambulance conveyances for the NHS Swale population is developed. 

(5)       The meeting was adjourned at 12.30 and reconvened at 14.00.